Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Effect Of External Locus-Of-Hope On Acquired Capability For Suicide, Yitzchok Wagshul

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have investigated the role of hope as a protective factor against suicide. Of the 3 factors posited by Joiner's interpersonal theory of suicide (IPTS) to be necessary before suicide can occur, increased hope has been shown to reduce 2 (thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness), but, counterintuitively, to increase the 3rd (acquired capability for suicide). A fuller understanding of this phenomenon may lie with Bernardo's locus-of-hope construct-pursuant to which hope may lie not only in one's own plans and capabilities (internal locus-of-hope) but in those of others (external locus-of-hope) but to date no study has researched the relationship between external …

Reintegration Among Combat Veterans Suffering From Psychological Conditions, Virginia Falck

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Active duty personnel as well as combat veterans of the United States often engage in military operations during their service that require deployments to participate in missions, which may lead to extended periods away from home. When active duty men and women are appointed to combat zones, they may return with psychological burdens such as post traumatic stress disorder, which can complicate their reintegration into civilian life. This study explored the experiences of combat veterans who faced challenges when returning home from a war zone, along with the experiences of their family members. The study involved 26 combat veterans, spouses, …

Family Relational Experiences During Major Transitions With A Chronic Illness, Juanita Sibayan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although health care transitions have received some attention in the literature, few researchers have emphasized family relational experiences and communication during major changes while living with a chronic illness. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experience of parents and their adult children while transitioning from pediatric to adult care of a chronic illness. The bio-psychosocial theory, family systems theory, and attachment theory established the context for this study. A criterion-based sampling technique and snowball sampling were used to recruit 7 parents and 6 of their adult children aged 18 to 30 years who were diagnosed …

Males' Spouses Experiences Of Deployed Wives, Pamela Morales-Garcia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to determine the psychological and emotional effects of female deployment on male spouses. The current research was designed to study the emotional and psychological experiences of male spouses of deployed women. The research question was focused on understanding the lived experience of the male spouses of their deployed active duty wives. The intent was to describe male spouses' lived experiences, focusing on mental health, physical health, marital problems, caregiving, and other reintegration related problems as well as the role transfer stress experienced by these male spouses of deployed wives. Gender role …

The Impacts Of Religious Discrimination Towards Anxiety In Diverse Populations, Sharlaine Marie Ortiz-Diaz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous research has indicated that outcomes of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation could stem from religious discrimination (RLGD). However, there remains an important gap in the current literature regarding RLGD impacts with non-Muslim populations. Further, the moderating effects of sex, race, and national origin (moderating variables [MVs]) have yielded mixed findings concerning anxiety (dependent variable). The intergroup anxiety theory and the integrated threat theory elaborate on perceived threats and potential anxiety of intergroup dynamics. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the role of religious preferences (independent variable), the MVs, and the RLGD-anxiety relationship. The sample consisted of …

Minority Stress And Mental Health Among Transgender Persons, Elizabeth Alice Sapareto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transgender people, a minority population, are at increased risk for negative health and mental health consequences. Profound societal discrimination and stigmatization lead to systemic institutional barriers and lack of access to health care services. Research with lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations shows a strong association between minority stress and mental health; however, there is a gap in research for the transgender population. This study, based on theories of minority stress, positive psychology, the biopsychosocial model, and the transgender model, was conducted to clarify this relationship for the transgender population. Four research questions were proposed. A final sample of N = …

A Phenomenological Examination Of Prisonization And The Psychological Effects Of Incarceration, Wanda Lynn Bates

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adjustment to prison culture may influence the development of psychological issues for some individuals and may contribute to the difficulties of reentry to society, potentially contributing to the high rates of recidivism. The purpose of this study was to explore prisonization and its potential psychological effects from the perspective of individuals who experienced it. The theoretical foundation used to guide this study was the constructivist self-development theory, which can be used to explain how individuals may or may not have been affected by their traumatic experience. The participants for this phenomenological study included 10 individuals who experienced incarceration to fulfill …

Parenting And Discipline Correlations With Social Supports For Single, African American Mothers, Veronica D. King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Assistance to young, single, African American mothers requires adaptation to their environmental stressors along with reliance on social support. Further information is necessary for developing and supporting an appropriate model for delivery of that assistance. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine potential correlations between general social support and parenting skills and disciplinary practices amongst low-income, African American single mothers. Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory model supported this study to further develop an accurate perspective of African American families to inform more effective approaches to parenting. The participants for this correlational research design study were 78 mothers who had …

Perceived Child Regard, Parenting Stress, And Depressive Symptoms Of Nonresidential And Residential Stepmothers, Lenee Nicole Kehnt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The dynamics of the modern blended family is a topic of considerable interest in family research. The purpose of this quantitative study was to understand how parental stress, perceived parental regard, and depressive symptoms affect nonresidential and residential stepmothers. Family Systems Theory provided an appropriate lens for this research study. An analysis of covariance was used to determine whether differences existed between nonresidential and residential stepmothers in terms of parental stress, perceived parental regard, and depressive symptoms. The second goal was to determine whether the covariates of age, ethnicity, household income, time spent stepparenting, and the number of biological and …

Meta-Analysis Of The Effectiveness Magnitude Of Hypnosis On Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment, Gueorgui Klissourov

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increased intensity of modern life and the experiences in combat situations has brought on enormous stress and has led many individuals to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Hypnosis is one of the treatment methods available to professionals and has been proven to provide fast, reliable results in multiple studies. Despite these results, the lack of understanding of the physiological effects of hypnosis on the brain has prevented its use as a common treatment method for PTSD. By examining the differences between the effectiveness of hypnosis in military and civilian populations, the aim of this meta-analysis was to isolate the …

Effects Of Religious Returnees' Observance Of Family Purity Laws On Marital Satisfaction Scores, Tamar Eva Shtrambrand

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Baal teshuvas are traditionally observant Orthodox Jewish individuals who were previously not religiously observant and chose to become observant at a later juncture in their lives. This population is at risk of psychosocial dysfunction, particularly in the area of marriage, but little or no research has been conducted with this population. The purpose of this study was to study how 1 factor, the laws of family purity, an ancient set of Jewish laws governing sexual behavior between husbands and wives, may have an effect on marital satisfaction among baal teshuvas. Areas of marital satisfaction were measured by the Revised Dyadic …

Predictors Of Gambling-Related Problems In Adult Internet Gamblers, Barbaradee Foote

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The use of the Internet to gamble has become increasingly prevalent in recent years.

Although researchers have suggested that adult Internet gamblers are at high risk for

developing a gambling disorder, few studies, overall, have been conducted on the effects

of Internet gambling. Furthermore, conflicting research exists regarding what moderates

gambling-related problems. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if

age, gender, and emotions prior to the gambling experience are related predictors of

Internet problem gambling severity. A retrospective design was used. The pathways

model was used to support the belief that emotions felt before an Internet gambling …

Social Support And Psychotherapy For Asian And Pacific Islanders With Hiv/Aids, Venus Vacharakitja

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

HIV/AIDS rates among Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) have increased steadily in recent years. The Health Resources and Services Administration reported in 2011 that people living with HIV/AIDS experience psychiatric disorders at a rate 4 to 8 times higher than the general population, with as many as 60% experiencing depression. Studies show that short-term psychotherapy reduces depression and anxiety in people with HIV/AIDS, and studies have indicated that patients have better health outcomes when they receive psychotherapy in conjunction with medical treatment. It is not known how social support relates to psychotherapy attendance or health outcomes as measured by CD4 …

Social Support, Gender, And Burden In Caregivers Of Patients With Alzheimer's Disease, Jennifer Lynne Wisneski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are 15.9 million adults in the United States providing care to a family member diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Family member caregivers experience detrimental physical and mental health stress because of their caregiving role. The purpose of this study was to determine if the independent variables of marital status, perceived social support, and gender of family member caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease were related to the dependent variable of caregiver burden. The variables were examined through the lens of John Bowlby's attachment theory using archival data (n = 586) from the REACH II program. The results of the analysis …

Childhood Lead Exposure And Adult Verbal Comprehension And Perceptual Reasoning, Carrie A. Wonderly

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lead neurotoxicity is considered a problem in young children and the long-term effects of lead exposure on them have yet to be determined. Studies have been completed to determine how lead exposure has affected children through their most important developmental stages. However, there is a lack of research to uncover any long-term effects lead may have as children enter adulthood. The purpose of this study was to determine long-term effects of lead exposure on IQ. The theoretical foundation for this study is the Cattell Horn Carroll theory of intelligence, which is based on fluid (novel experiences) and crystallized (previous experiences) …

The Relationship Between Attachment, Self-Regulation, And Resilience In Undergraduate Students' College Adjustment, Scott Tanner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Difficulty adjusting to college life is noted in nearly 20% of freshmen who fail to return to college. The purpose of this quantitative survey design study, grounded in attachment theory, was to investigate the best predictor (e.g., secure parental attachment, self-regulation, or resilience) of college adaptation, the combined contribution of the variables in predicting college adaptation, and whether a bivariate relationship existed between the variables and subcomponents of college adaptation. The Connor Davidson Resilience Scale Revised, Parental Attachment Questionnaire, Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire, and Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire were securely administered online to a sample of 68 full-time students from …

Childhood Lead Exposure And Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis, Megan Glenn Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lead exposure during childhood is a significant global public health concern as the potential effects of exposure can result in the need for long-term treatment, diminished productivity in society, and financial strain on the health care system. There is strong evidence of a relationship between lead exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, there is a gap in the current literature regarding the relationship between lead exposure and specific symptoms of ADHD and the strength of that relationship. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine and help quantify this relationship. Cohen's d was used as the standardized mean effect size …

Parents' Emotional Experiences Of Their Transgender Children Coming Out, Meri Rule

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parents of transgender children face challenges when their children come out, including fear of negative reaction toward the parents and their transgender child by community members, concerns about social status in the community or religious organizations, and concerns about the inability of the transgender child to build his or her own family. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate the emotional experiences of parents regarding their acceptance or rejection of their transgender child. Rohner's parental acceptance-rejection theory provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from parents (N = 13) who attended Parents and Friends of …

Memory In Adult Female Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence, Jill Waite

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a national and global health problem. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization suggest that 1 in 3 women will become a victim of violence by an intimate partner in her lifetime. Memory and learning have been shown to be affected in in-vivo animal studies under acute and chronic stress conditions. Using Bertalanffy's general systems theory, this study examined the impact of IPV on short-term memory in adult female survivors by comparing their performance to a control group (adult females with no IPV in the past 5 years) on measures …

Rural High School Staff Experiences In Implementing Intervention Strategies Against Bullying Of Lgbtq Students, Ashley Gray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students in rural schools experience verbal and physical harassment due to their sexual orientation, which leads to higher rates of substance abuse, psychological problems, and greater academic failure when compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Because of the high percentage (81%) of LGBTQ students in rural schools experiencing bullying incidents, it is important to explore how the attitudes and perceptions of professional school staff influence the implementation of intervention strategies to prevent bullying in rural schools. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to gain insight into, and knowledge of, professional school …

Caregiver Support And Advocacy For Children With Disabilities In Guyana, Shiromanie Sharla Khargi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

In Guyana, a developing country in South America, many parental caregivers of disabled people struggle to understand their children's disability as well as provide, and advocate for, educational resources and medical and psychological care for their children. The researchers have found that the needs of this population have been minimized placing disabled people at risk for neglect, abuse, and death. In 2006, the Convention on the Rights for People with Disabilities created a plan to help developing countries improve the care and advocacy for people with disabilities. The purpose of this evaluative study, which was guided by general systems …

The Relationship Between Parenting Styles And Conduct Disorder In Hispanic Families, Jessica Vera-Rios

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Conduct disorder (CD) is prevalent among American teens, yet limited research has been conducted on Hispanics adolescents. Based on social learning theory and parenting theory, the purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship amongst parenting styles, Hispanic cultural influences, and CD. A sample of 85 parents with adolescents receiving juvenile probation services in South Texas were surveyed to assess their parenting style, Hispanic cultural influences, and their adolescent's symptoms of CD. The Mexican Parent Questionnaire measured the independent variable: parenting styles. The Brief Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans-II measured the independent variable: Hispanic cultural influences. The …

Postmilitary Life Satisfaction And Social Support, Educational Attainment, And Length Of Service, Tara Nicole Brunson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The U.S. military has downsized since the early 2000s and has plans to continue to decrease their forces. There are negative implications many veterans experience after discharge. Using the transition theory as the framework for this study, the purpose of this between-groups study was to explore the differences in life satisfaction scores between voluntarily- and involuntarily-discharged U.S. service members and the associations between educational attainment, social support, and length of service. The participants were honorable discharged U.S. service members. A total of 182 participants were included in this study; 141 were voluntarily discharged and 41 were involuntarily discharged. The participants …

Individual Growth Through Forgiveness: A Multiple Case Study On The Process Of Forgiveness, Bianca Kazoun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Psychology researchers have been gathering information regarding the positive effects of forgiveness, demonstrating that they contribute to better overall physical and emotional wellbeing. Individuals who have suffered a transgression can remain in a place of destructive anger and resentment for years. Long-term, these negative states can have deleterious effects emotionally, physically, and socially. Understanding how to help those who are suffering move past their victimization can have a positive impact. It is therefore important to conduct research to better understand forgiveness through the lived experience of individuals who have experienced some form of victimization. Using evolutionary psychology as the theoretical …

Therapists' Comfort Level In Providing Psychotherapy In Home-Based Therapy Settings, Jacqueline A. Ramirez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Home-based psychotherapy has expanded in the mental health community; however, little was known about the therapists' comfort level in a home-based venue. The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess therapists' comfort level (TCL) in providing psychotherapy in a home-based setting and how therapeutic competency (TC), therapeutic relationship (TR), and advanced therapeutic training (ATT) related to the comfort level. The social-ecological systems theory and the theory of comfort served as the theoretical frameworks. The present study used the Therapist Comfort Scale, Counseling Competencies Scale-Revised, the Scale to Assess Therapeutic Relationship in Community Mental Health Care-Clinician, and a demographic questionnaire. …

Changes In Attitudes Towards Substance Use Among High School Students, Laura Sue Catherine Elias

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Use of alcohol and illicit drugs during adolescent development can have negative effects on cognitive functioning and mental health. The purpose of this cross sectional study was to examine grade level, sex, athletic affiliation, and ethnicity as they relate to substance-using attitudes to isolate the period in which shifts in attitudes toward substance use in adolescents occur. The social learning theory provided the framework for the study. Participants included 276 high school students from a midsized Midwestern city. Students in the ninth, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades who participated in the study were asked to complete a brief electronic survey …

Quantitative Assessment Of Psycho-Social Factors Associated With Alcoholics Anonymous Involvement, Dianne Bentley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Alcohol use disorders are a major health problem in the United States; approximately 7.4% of the population meets the criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence. However, Reed, Levin, and Evans (2012) reported a lack in research regarding alcoholism's risk factors and how these influence Alcoholics Anonymous involvement. Though there is evidence for several risk factors, researchers have found mixed results regarding gender and impulsivity. Social learning theory was the theoretical foundation of this study and guided the exploration and interpretation of these risk factors. Therefore, the purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental study was to understand the relationship that impulsivity (as …

Preference For Internet Therapy Versus Traditional Therapy To Treat Postpartum Depression, Megan E. Ford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A growing body of research has emerged about effective treatments for postpartum depression, specifically how the internet could become a pivotal and vital option for women with postpartum symptoms. With that in mind, the purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate whether women suffering from postpartum depression preferred traditional therapy treatment or internet therapy treatment. The nonexperimental survey design was used to assess differences between groups related to stigma, satisfaction with treatment, and perceived quality of treatment received. Data collected from a sample of 78 adult females, who had previously received postpartum depression therapy treatment, indicated there was no …

Neurodevelopmental Basis Of Autism Spectrum Disorder Based On Age And Gender, Sursatie Chetram

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, socialization, and restricted/repetitive behaviors. In 2012, one out of every 55 children (1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls) have been diagnosed with ASD in the United States. Only 30-40% of ASD has a known etiology (e.g., genetic predisposition) and the other 60-70% is unknown. Prior to this study, there was no known literature on age and gender differences related to neuro-developmental functioning of ASD. The purpose of this study was to examine how the differences in age and gender of people with ASD were related to …

A Comparison Of Social Disconnectedness And Perceived Isolation In Deaf/Hard Of Hearing Women And Hearing Women, Mellissa Perry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous research has concluded that hearing loss is related to psychological risk factors in a person that could potentially increase feelings of disconnect or isolation. However, the gap in literature and lack of knowledge regarding social disconnectedness and perceived isolation specifically for deaf/hard of hearing women makes it difficult for clinicians to develop appropriate programs to assist this population. The purpose of this study was to contribute information regarding the effects of hearing loss on social disconnectedness and perceived isolation to help clinicians create proper treatment plans to better assist the deaf/hard of hearing with negative feelings (e.g., loneliness, depression) …